Wharton Stories: Incubating Ideas

A small group of people having a meeting around a conference table with laptops and notebooks.
“It’s a creative space,” says Hetvee Marviya, WG’27, of the Generative AI Studio. “Just like I dance, this is something that’s creative, but using AI.”

Learning by Building: Inside Wharton’s Generative AI Studio

A woman looks off into the distance. The entire image is shown through a blue filter.
The 2021 New Venture Competition spotlighted a range of innovative student startups like Hairtelligence, co-founded by Isoken Igbinedion, WG’21.

Revolutionizing Hair Customization for Black Women

A black-and-white photo of a person on an indoor cycling bike
“I really wanted people to find this safe place, this safe workout, because it’s low-impact. People can come and take a class if they’re 17 years old or if they’re 82 years old.”

Why The Co-Founder of SoulCycle Restarted with a New Fitness Venture

Prof. Stephanie Creary speaking and sitting with three panelists before a lecture hall
Diversity experts from Deloitte, the NBA, and Jones Day joined Prof. Stephanie Creary to discuss how innovative organizations are evolving in response to movements like #MeToo and #TakeAKnee.

How Business Leaders Build Inclusive Workplaces in an Era of Discord

Neil Blumenthal and Stephanie Creary talk and sit in fancy chairs on a stage in front of a Wharton projection screen.
Warby Parker co-CEO and co-founder Neil Blumenthal, WG’10, returned to Wharton Pre-Term for a conversation with Prof. Stephanie Creary about how to build diversity and inclusion.

How Warby Parker Builds an Inclusive Workforce: Takeaways from Wharton MBA Pre-Term

Three striped towels hanging on hooks on a wooden wall
Founder of Laguna Beach Textile Company, Danny Meurer, WG’17, is aiming to secure brand longevity by taking a different business approach to other fast-growing digital retail brands.

4 Key Differentiators in a Lean Approach to Founding a Digital Brand, from a Startup Challenge Semi-Finalist

The Piazza del Duomo: the magnificent duomo, arch, and horse statue framed in front of a bright blue sky with few clouds.
Through bonding over exchange programs and roads less traveled, Allison Chiu and Feym Fliegner, WG’18, forged a balanced and motivating business partnership.

How These MBA Co-Founders Bonded in San Francisco and Launched a Startup in Milan and Singapore

Gayle Jennings-O'Byrne smiles in front of a blurry background. She wears a white shirt with large blue and purple earrings.
Alumna social entrepreneur Gayle Jennings-O’Byrne is changing the market for women entrepreneurs of color.

How This Alumna Is Driving $1 Billion to Women of Color Tech Entrepreneurs

Cindy Liu stadning outside. She has short, dark hair and is wearing a white shirt and glasses.
To fulfill her passionate commitment to education, Wharton student Cindy Dexin Liu, WG’18, GED’18, worked with administrators, faculty, and mentors to become the first graduate of a new MBA/MSEd offered with Penn’s Graduate School of Education.

Three Reasons This MBA Student Helped Pioneer a New Dual-Degree Program in Education Entrepreneurship

Cindy Liu standing outside with her hands together. She has short, dark hair and is wearing a white shirt and glasses.
Cindy Dexin Liu, WG’18, GED’18, benefited from the close community and West Coast entrepreneurial network of Wharton San Francisco to co-found a Palo Alto alternative school.

How This Dual-Degree MBA Leveraged the Semester in San Francisco to Help Open a New School